Fond du Lac County - Wisconsin Wetlands Association

Fond du Lac County
Zoning
Introduction
Fond du Lac County has a Shoreland Zoning Ordinance that contains wetland
conservation provisions. The ordinance is enforced in all unincorporated areas of the
county.
Does the stated purpose of the ordinance explicitly include protecting, restoring, and/or
enhancing wetlands
No. The ordinance does include a goal to protect spawning grounds, fish, and aquatic life
and identifies wetland preservation as a means to do so. 1
Does the ordinance include other goals and objectives that can be supported through
wetland protection and restoration
Yes. The ordinance includes goals to further the maintenance of safe and healthful
conditions and prevent and control water pollution; and preserve shore cover and natural
beauty. 2 The purpose statement of the ordinance does not acknowledge the benefits of
protecting and restoring wetlands for these purposes; however, the purpose statement of
the Shoreland-Wetland District acknowledges these wetland benefits. 3
Does the ordinance include shoreland-wetland district requirements that exceed State
minimum standards
No.
Does the ordinance expressly protect all wetlands in the shoreland zone
No. The ordinance’s Shoreland-Wetland District only protects wetlands of 5 acres or
more that are in the shoreland zone and are identified on the Wisconsin Wetland
Inventory maps dated January 4 th , 1984. The ordinance clarifies that wetlands less than
five acres are not regulated. 4
Does the ordinance expressly protect inland wetlands
No.
Are there permitting requirements that encourage applicants to avoid and minimize
wetland impacts
Yes. In the description of the Shoreland-Wetland District, the ordinance states that
wetlands are seldom suitable for building for the following reasons:
• septic tank systems will not function because of high groundwater;
• water supplies can be polluted by wastes that have not been adequately absorbed
by the soil;
1 Chapter 44-4 Fond du Lac County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance
2 Chapter 44-82(a) Fond du Lac County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance
3 Chapter 44-82(c) Fond du Lac County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance
4 Chapter 44-81 Fond du Lac County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance

• foundations and roads often crack due to poor support and frost action;
• flooding is common in spring and other times of high water. 5
Are there permitting requirements that encourage applicants to avoid and minimize
indirect wetland impacts
No.
Are setbacks required from the edge of wetlands
No.
If setbacks are required, do they need to be maintained as a natural buffer area (e.g. no
disturbance of vegetation)
Not applicable.
Does the ordinance facilitate the approval of conservation subdivisions
Yes. Planned Unit Development (PUD) standards in the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance
facilitate the development of conservation subdivisions. Planned residential development
is required to preserve ground cover. In addition, the PUD is required to be designed in a
manner that maximizes the amount of contiguous open space, especially along the
shoreline. This open space is required to be dedicated. 6
Are there provisions that encourage wetland restoration and expedite restoration
permit approvals
No.
If the County has a water classification system, do those development standards
include provisions that facilitate wetland conservation
Not applicable. The County does not have development standards that are based on a
water classification system.
Does the ordinance encourage the use of or acknowledge that wetland conservation
can help meet the objectives of shoreland mitigation
Not applicable. The County currently does not have a shoreland mitigation program.
Are “wetlands” defined in the ordinance, and if so, is the state’s definition of wetlands
used
Yes. The State’s wetland definition is used. 7
5 Chapter 44-82 Fond du Lac County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance
6 Chapter 44-152 Fond du Lac County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance
7 Chapter 44-1 Fond du Lac County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance
The Fond du Lac County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance is available at :
http://library.municode.com/index.aspxclientID=13059&stateID=49&statename=Wisco
nsin